ORGANISED RECRUITING

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2650, 22 December 1915, Page 4

ORGANISED RECRUITING

The Government's new rccruiting scheme, the details of which will bo found in another p.art of this issue, should bring home to the people of New Zealand the imperative need for a keener realisation of the urgency of the Empire's call for fighting men. Recruiting is just now at" a rather low ebb, and more effective measures than those which have hitherto been adopted are absolutely necessary. Up to the present tho recruiting campaign ; has been conducted in a .spasmodic and haphazard way. The country owes a debt of gratitude to a few enthusiastic people who have given practical, proof of their patriotism ; by their ardent endeavours to rouse the manhood of New Zealand to a more adequate sense of responsibility in regard to the duty of military service. but the ncea for vnore authoritative and systematic action has been apparent for some time past. Tho new scheme will provide the machinery for a campaign on' _ a much more. definite and extensive scale than anything that has hitherto been attempted. Members _of Parliament, members of local bodies, and other representative men are to be asked to assist. The main idea seems 1 to be that the workers should get into personal touch ■ with the men of military age who have not yet enlisted, with the object of inducing them to do their duty to their country. It is ako intended to organise public meetings in the larger centres. The method of moral suasion is to be adhered to. The inauguration of a national recruiting effort, under the_ auspices of the Government, and with His ExpELLENCY the Governor as patron, is a distinct step forward. It does not attempt to solva tho problem of the shirker, but it will show just* what can be done undei the voluntary system.- Though experience will probably show that the now scheme will require to be strengthened and supplemented, it is entitled to'a fair ' and sympathetic trial. Tho need for more men is urgent, and it is to be hoped that the Government's plan of campaign will result in a large increase in the rate of recruiting